Tag: The 52 Churches Workbook

An Outlier Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 12, 2021

Discussing Church 15

Their website says we’ll find “a laid-back, coffeehouse atmosphere” with “an unconventional setting where a blend of people, of all ages, from all walks of life, can gather and feel at home.”

This is my kind of church. It’s an outlier church in a mainline denomination.

The 52 Churches Workbook, by Peter DeHaan

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #15:

1. Weather permitting, the service will be outdoors. I’m excited for a chance to worship in nature, but I’m disappointed I won’t experience their typical service.

Regular attendees may appreciate a special service, but how does this impact visitors?

2. We arrive and see no hint of an outdoor service. We later learn that based on today’s forecast for ninety-three degrees, they decided to meet inside.

How well does your church deal with last-minute changes?

3. The service starts with a video. It’s an allegory that shows the importance of churches maintaining their original purpose: focusing outward and avoiding the snare of self-centeredness or adopting an inward preoccupation.

How can your church better maintain an outward focus?

4. Next is a time for healing prayer, another first on our journey, and a most welcome one.

Does your church offer healing prayer for people in need? Do you?

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, congregations, denominations, heal, nondenominational, prayer, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

Pentecostal Church Insights

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 5, 2021

Discussing Church 14

The church website doesn’t give their affiliation, but the pastor’s bio implies they’re Pentecostal. Their Facebook page, however, prominently confirms this.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #14:

1. Facebook says the service lasts two hours. I’m glad to know this, but I still dread what awaits me.

Most people expect church to last an hour. If yours doesn’t, what can you do to communicate this without scaring away newcomers?

2. As posted online, their narrow views on salvation and unity trouble me. But most members don’t know what their church stands for—and would disagree with some aspects.

How well do you know your church’s beliefs? If we focus on Jesus, does doctrine really matter?

3. Several more people welcome us. This Pentecostal church excels at pre-service hospitality, leaving us feeling valued.

What is your church noted for? Is it something positive or negative?

4. After we meet many people, the minister introduces himself and asks if we’ve ever been to a Pentecostal church. When I shake my head, he raises his eyebrows and requests we keep an open mind.

Do people at your church need to keep an open mind? What does this communicate?

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags charismatic, church services, Pentecostal, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

Looking toward Churches 14 through 26

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 29, 2021

Discussing Churches 14-26

The next thirteen churches on my list promise a wider variety of experiences. This excites me. Our journey is about growth and discovery, not about thoroughly covering every option in a precise order.

Consider these two discussion questions as we look forward to part 2:

1. We can experience a lot of variation from one church to the next.

When you visit a church, do you expect one just like yours or something different? Why?

2. The local branches of Jesus’s church are diverse.

How well do you do at accepting the diversity of Jesus’s followers? How well does your church do?

May you experience growth and discovery on your spiritual journey with Jesus.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

Key Questions from Churches 1 through 13

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 22, 2021

Discussion Questions for Churches 1-13

We’re one-quarter of the way through our journey of visiting 52 churches in a year. It’s been more than I’d hoped for and at the same time, not as much of what I expected.

Consider these two discussion questions about the first part of our journey:

1. Every church we visited had strengths we can celebrate.

What positive things would a visitor say about your church?

2. And every church had weaknesses that need correcting. I’m just not sure if they’re aware of these issues.

What criticisms might a visitor have about your church?

Celebrate what your church does well and work to improve everything else.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

An Effective Pastor Team

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 15, 2021

Discussing Church 13

This church has no website and a blank Facebook page. The lack of information online discourages me.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #13:

1. The pastor welcomes us warmly. He’s expecting us because Candy emailed him to confirm service times.

What can your church do to make it easier for people to find you and feel welcomed?

2. We sing the hymn, “No Other Plea.” One line resonates with me, “My great Physician heals the sick. The lost he came to save.”

Does your church promote Jesus as both healer and savior? How can you embrace a more holistic view of him?

3. If not for family coming over, the pastor and his wife would have invited us to his home for lunch. I’m honored. Sharing a meal is a wonderful way to launch a friendship.

Should you invite church visitors to have lunch with you? What else could you invite them to do?

4. Aside from the pastor and his wife, no one in the congregation makes any effort to talk to us.

Do you expect your minister to greet new people or should members do that as well? What role can you play in welcoming guests?

This dedicated husband and wife pastor team reaches out and connects with us, but the members seem content to let them do all the work.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

A Visitor Friendly Church

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 8, 2021

Discussing Church 12

Next up is another United Methodist Church. It’s a rural church and not on the way to anywhere we go, so we didn’t know it existed. They provide a lesson in what it means to be visitor friendly.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #12:

1. Their website is the most visitor friendly site we’ve seen. Notably is a “what to expect” section, addressing the concerns a new person might have.

Does your website tell people what they can expect? What do you need to add to make your outreach more effective?

2. We arrive to a full parking lot, as their website said might happen, but there are still a few spaces near the door, and we use one of them.

Where do guests end up parking at your church? How can you make it easier for them?

3. Unlike our other church experiences, the minister clearly communicates their Communion procedure. I know what to expect.

Do you explain your practice of Communion in a way that embraces newcomers? How can you make this better?

4. Several people invite us to stay for refreshments in the fellowship hall. We leave well-fed, both spiritually and physically.

How well does your church do at feeding people physically and spiritually?

This church did a great job at being visitor friendly. They provide a great example to follow.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, communion, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

A Charismatic Church . . . or Not?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date July 1, 2021

Discussing Church 11

The trendy website of this church gives no indication of their focus or affiliation. In contrast, their Facebook page says they’re charismatic.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #11:

1. Despite their claim to be charismatic, their service is much like nontraditional evangelical churches.

If your church is to stand out, what are you doing that’s truly different?

2. According to their pastor, many of the people there dropped out of other churches, disillusioned and discouraged. This church became their sanctuary.

What can you do to embrace the disillusioned and discouraged?

3. For the second time in two weeks, there’s no effort to obtain our contact information. I’m not sure if this is good or bad.

Does your church attempt to get contact information from visitors? If so, what do you or should you do with it?

4. Contrary to their self-description as charismatic, there was little in their service to support that claim.

Does your website and social media accurately reflect your church?

Though this church billed itself as charismatic and showed hints of that leaning, they landed on the light side of being Holy Spirit focused.

How does your church represent itself to the public? Does it accurately portray who you are? Or maybe it’s a reflection of what you once were or who you want to become.

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags charismatic, church services, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

Church Outreach Efforts

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 24, 2021

Discussing Church 10

Today’s church has no website, and their Facebook page only links to their denomination’s website. Without an online presence, their outreach efforts are nil.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #10:

1. With no online presence, their outreach efforts are nonexistent. Their future lacks promise. Members will die with no one to replace them.

What is your church doing to attract younger people?

2, Their older building has an aged exterior, exacerbated by neglect. Grass grows through the cracks in the parking lot. Inside is more of the same.

They’ve made updates but in a basic, we’re-on-a-tight-budget, way. Regular attendees overlook these issues. Visitors do not.

What steps should your church take to have an inviting facility?

3. Several members introduce themselves. We reciprocate, but no one bothers to engage in conversation.

Beyond introducing yourself, what else can you do to interact with others?

4. A technical glitch leaves their retractable screen in the up position. The planned service relied on video.

The pastor’s message—which I suspect he quickly pulled together—celebrates God as a father to the fatherless. It goes smoothly and no one gripes.

When church services don’t go as planned, how well do you adjust without complaint?

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, Father's Day, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

Enhance Community: Sharing a Meal Matters

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 17, 2021

Discussing Church 9

Today, we’ll go to a United Methodist church, our first visit to a widely recognized denomination. They know how to enhance community by sharing a meal.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #9:

1. Their services are traditional. I wonder if I should dress up, but their website doesn’t say. Though my casual attire is out of place, no one seems to object.

How do you react when someone shows up at church who looks or dresses differently from everyone else?

2. We make our way inside. Two greeters hand out preprinted nametags to the regulars. They offer us stickers to write our names on. I find nametags helpful.

How can you use nametags to enhance community and celebrate guests?

3. The minister is female. I applaud the opportunity for all people to use their gifts and skills to serve God in any capacity, including leading and teaching.

How do you react to women in leadership and ministry roles at your church?

4. A closing number ends the service, and we make our way to the fellowship hall for a potluck. These Methodists know how to cook.

How does your church use a shared meal to enhance community?

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, community, food, The 52 Churches Workbook

Visiting Churches

A Grand Experiment

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 10, 2021

Discussing Church 8

This week we visit our third new church. It’s a grand experiment, one quite radical from their conservative denominational roots.

Consider these four discussion questions about Church #8:

1. A greeter welcomes us and explains what to expect during our visit.

How can you help visitors at your church know what will happen?

2. We learn they hold Vacation Bible School in partnership with other area churches. I appreciate them working together. The high school also held their baccalaureate service here.

How can your church become more community-centered and less inward focused?

3. At the concluding song, a man confuses everyone by coming forward to become a member, even though no one gave an invitation. As the band plays, some members take initiative to join him and start him on his journey.

Do you feel free to take initiative in dealing with unexpected situations? If not, what needs to change?

4. For the first time, we don’t have a chance to talk with the minister. I’m disappointed but not critical. It should be members who connect with visitors, not paid staff.

Whose job is it to interact with visitors at your church? How can you involve more people?

[See the prior set of questions, the next set, or start at the beginning.]

Get your copy of 52 Churches and The 52 Churches Workbook today, available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Tags church services, community, denominations, membership, minister, The 52 Churches Workbook